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v belt Spring has arrived and road trips, scenic drives and more time spent behind the wheel beckon.However, without a

proper automotive overhaul this season, you may spend more time at the mechanic than enjoying the beautiful weather. Here are

some ways to keep your car in top shape:Inspect the driveway - Most people think to look under the hood as a starting point.

However, check the driveway first instead. If you see oil where you park your car, you could have a potential problem. You

should have your car inspected by a professional.Fluid levels are key - All fluid levels should be checked and topped up as

needed (engine oil, transmission, cooling system, power steering, brake fluid and washer fluid). Fluids are the lifeblood of

your car. Purchasing high-quality fluids and regularly changing old fluids will improve your car's performance and

reliability.Keep cool - Overheating, especially as the weather gets warmer, is the leading cause of preventable breakdowns

and one of the main areas where prevention is much cheaper than the cure. Simply stated, a fried engine is an expensive

repair. If your antifreeze is more than a couple of years old, play it safe and replace your antifreeze. You should also

consider adding a coolant to your radiator. It's been shown to reduce engine temperature as much as 30 F or more, and it's

commonly used to help cool hot racing engines. It also helps condition seals to prevent leaks.Upgrade your oil - Another way

to reduce engine heat is to upgrade to high-performance synthetic motor oil. Synthetic motor oils disperse heat faster and

have a lower coefficient of friction than mineral-based motor oils; this helps reduce engine heat. For instance, high-

performance synthetic motor oil has been shown to decrease engine temperatures up to 12 per cent while improving horsepower

and fuel economy. (Data on independent testing of their products is available at www.royalpurple.com.)Inspect belts and hoses

- After checking and/or adding fluids, check the belts and hoses. A worn or loose belt can cause the engine to overheat. A

cracked belt or a hose that is unusually soft or overly hard needs to be replaced. Make sure hose clamps are tight and check

the ends for cracks or corrosion. Because extreme heat can cause leaks and other damage, keep an eye out for hard, blistered

or spongy hoses. If any of these warning signs are present, replace the hoses immediately. It's also a good idea to keep

spare belts in your trunk, especially if your vehicle has a single serpentine or multi-v belt. If this belt fails, you'll be

left going nowhere.Clean battery terminals, hinges and latches - Battery terminals should be cleaned, tightened and

lubricated. It's also good to clean and lubricate hinges and the hood latch. Make sure the battery terminals and hold-downs

are tight. If corrosion is present (you'll see white residue cake on the battery terminals), clean it with a mixture of

baking soda and water, and put on a set of battery washers to keep corrosion from coming back. Top any low battery cells with

distilled water.Keep tires properly inflated - Finally, inspect your tires. All tires should be properly inflated, including

the spare. Refer to the sidewall of your tire for the proper pressure level. Properly inflated tires increase gas mileage,

lengthen tire life and are much less susceptible to blowouts. Properly preparing your car for summer doesn't require a lot of

time or technical expertise.The payoff of preparation is that your vehicle will have a reduced risk of a breakdown and an

improved performance.